Answers, Part XVI

I'm going to pay you a compliment, but don't let it go to your head: sometimes I think you're too objective. That said, are you so objective that you didn't cheer, hoot, and/or holler when Tennessee missed that last field goal and UCLA pulled the upset? Not even internally? Not even for some player(s) that have a soft spot in that cold, objective heart of yours?
The only thing I cared about was the game ending. I had to have my first edition stories (gamer and notes) in at 10 p.m., and the longer that game went on, the tighter the deadline. As it was, because the game went into overtime, I didn't get to spend nearly as much time in the locker room as I would have liked for interviews. So, no, I did not cheer for UCLA when the field goal was missed. But I did feel good for a guy like Brigham Harwell, who was nearly moved to tears on the field.

Rick Neuheisel: great coach? or greatest coach?
Well, he is undefeated at UCLA, and Pete Carroll has lost a few games at USC.

Any update on Zach Ertz? If he does in fact flip to UCLA, will it be very late (Jan-Feb) in the recruiting process.
I keep hearing from sources that UCLA is feeling very good about Ertz, but there are some external factors that, I believe, will make it tough for him to wind up at UCLA.

Is UCLA interested in bringing in a DT in this recruiting class? Are we primarily focusing on out of state DT's?
There are very few defensive tackles anywhere, but UCLA wants to bring one or two in.

i saw that your alma lost to fresno state ... not only lost but was completely embarrassed - out coached, out played. the fresno kids kicked some rutgers butt and your team totally backed down.
my question for you is, how embarrassed are you going to be if ucla beats the bulldogs?
I don't get embarrassed when my team loses. I simply enjoy the game, win or lose, and then move on. Heck, I used to listen to the Rutgers games on the internet when they would lose 50-0, or the 80-7 loss at West Virginia, and would listen for the whole game on a bad dial-up connection. I follow Rutgers because I love my school. I would be embarrassed if my children did not turn out to be productive members of society.

I haven't read anything about the awesome job of the team only getting 2 penalties. Isn't that some kind of record and what do you attribute it to?
It's not a record, and I attribute it to great coaching.

Other than OL, which positions are in greatest need in terms of recruiting?
Defensive tackle, receivers, defensive ends, linebackers, quarterback. In other words, the program needs a complete talent overhaul.

I remember reading a little while back that you felt Coach Neuheisel didn't recruit particularly well at Colorado and Washington. Given his charismatic personality and ability to forge relationships, why do you think he wasn't able to recruit as well as he should have in his previous stints? Was it a lack of effort?
I don't think it was a lack of effort. Maybe he had a poor staff when it came to talent evaluation, or recruiting. Maybe he had a bad recruiting philosophy. I haven't been able to get an adequate answer in my quest to find out.